The Region - News from Nov. 1, 1985

A Jet America MD-80 on a landing approach at Orange County’s John Wayne Airport came within 200 feet of an unidentified private plane, the Federal Aviation Administration said. The jet, en route from Chicago and Las Vegas with 59 passengers aboard, landed without incident. The “near miss” occurred about 4 1/2 miles north of the airport when the private plane crossed the jet’s path about 500 feet ahead. The jet pilot halted the aircraft’s descent and banked to the right, while the private plane made a quick descending turn to avoid the jet. The planes came within 200 feet of each other, said the jet pilot, who filed a report with the FAA. The private plane, described as a high-wing aircraft of light color, was not identified because it had not been in contact with the airport control tower, the FAA said. Federal regulations require aircraft to communicate with the tower when within five miles of the airport.